BENTON, Ky. — D.J. Jeffries had to be pulled away. The autograph/photo line was too long, and a Marshall County official wanted to get Jeffries to the locker room following his 35-point, 11-rebound performance Saturday night at the Marshall County Hoopfest.

A group of kids followed Jeffries into the tunnel near his locker room. Jeffries had already given away a shooting sleeve, and now a kid was asking for his shoes. Jeffries had to politely decline. Through it all, most of the kids were all asking Jeffries the same thing: “Come to Kentucky.”

Perhaps they’ll get their wish.

“People in Kentucky, they love their basketball team,” Jeffries said after the game. “I feel like that’s something I probably want to be a part of.”

But then Jeffries shied away when asked if the Cats are his leader. He’s not ready to say that. The Olive Branch, Miss., star is also hearing from LSU, Florida, Alabama, Wichita State, Ohio State, Maryland, Ole Miss and Mississippi State.

Aside from the Kentucky fans on hand who dearly hope the 5-star small forward in the 2019 class chooses the Cats, there was another special spectator: Kentucky coach John Calipari.